Viper Smart Start, Who has it?
01-14-2011, 07:37 AM
#13
Super Moderator
Hmmm??? Now this sounds more interesting to me. I already have the factory remote start, but having the extra range and being notified of events would be a nice addition. That's the one thing I wish the factory remote start had of notifying me if the car started or not, since often when I try to start it my Jeep is out of direct sight.
01-14-2011, 09:19 AM
#14
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now if they could just make it work for a CARB! car.. id love to have the tracking and geofencing on my monte carlo... and in summer that hot rod roasts inside would be nice to be able to start it.. but unless it can fire an output before start there is no way for me to get it to set the choke... I can trip the accelerator pedal with a servo but the viper would need to be able to trigger that operation..
currently I have my own GPS I built for that car.. and it WORKS... but it is clumsy and uses an old IDEN Boost phone.. which the IDEN network is poised to go away soon...
-Christopher
currently I have my own GPS I built for that car.. and it WORKS... but it is clumsy and uses an old IDEN Boost phone.. which the IDEN network is poised to go away soon...
-Christopher
01-24-2011, 06:32 PM
#15
JK Enthusiast
Are there any more reviews of this product? i would like more info.
Does it include an alarm?
Is it something that we could install ourselves?
Are there any more additional parts we need to order for it to work with our jeeps?
How does the deal work..... ie....do we buy a subscription, app, etc...
Most importantly, what is the total price out the door + any additional monthly fees.
Thanks
Does it include an alarm?
Is it something that we could install ourselves?
Are there any more additional parts we need to order for it to work with our jeeps?
How does the deal work..... ie....do we buy a subscription, app, etc...
Most importantly, what is the total price out the door + any additional monthly fees.
Thanks
Last edited by east tn 1st jeep; 01-24-2011 at 06:35 PM.
03-26-2011, 08:28 AM
#16
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Since I just got this installed yesterday, I thought I'd give my impressions on it. I live in an area with great cell coverage, which is apparently key to having it work all the time, so I shouldn't have any issues there. YMMV I suppose though depending on if you live out in the country etc. I can't speak to the ease of install since it was a Christmas gift and I had it installed at BestBuy. As a side note, for the do-it-yourselfer, there is a writeup here: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...GER-the-EZ-way
And the remote start used in that is essentially the one used in the smart start, with just the additional smart start box attached to it.
From my Droid I can lock, unlock, start, hit the panic button. There is a trunk button too, but clearly that's not of much use with the JK. It also remembers where you parked and can lead you back to your vehicle. I haven't tested the feature of it leading me back to my vehicle, but parked at my house, it actually has the address perfect, so seems like it should work.
With any of the commands, when you select them on your phone, it takes about 2 seconds for them to be received. When they are, you get a message on your screen saying command recieved or something.
One feature I don't know if it has since all I did was add this into the factory basic alarm was that if my alarm is set off, I don't know if it will send me a message. It looks like it might, as it does have an "alerts" tab that can be selected.
The SmartStart ranges in prices depending on whether you're just adding in the smartstart to a remote start you already have, I think that's $99 plus install, plus service, all the way up to around $500 bucks for alarm, remote start and the smartstart. The service itself costs either $49 per year or $99 for 3 years. Pricey, but well worth it for the convenience factor, and the price also includes their roadside assistance. I haven't read up enough to know whether that means a tow truck if one is needed or just them sending a signal to your vehicle in the event you not only lock your keys inside, but your phone as well.
And the remote start used in that is essentially the one used in the smart start, with just the additional smart start box attached to it.
From my Droid I can lock, unlock, start, hit the panic button. There is a trunk button too, but clearly that's not of much use with the JK. It also remembers where you parked and can lead you back to your vehicle. I haven't tested the feature of it leading me back to my vehicle, but parked at my house, it actually has the address perfect, so seems like it should work.
With any of the commands, when you select them on your phone, it takes about 2 seconds for them to be received. When they are, you get a message on your screen saying command recieved or something.
One feature I don't know if it has since all I did was add this into the factory basic alarm was that if my alarm is set off, I don't know if it will send me a message. It looks like it might, as it does have an "alerts" tab that can be selected.
The SmartStart ranges in prices depending on whether you're just adding in the smartstart to a remote start you already have, I think that's $99 plus install, plus service, all the way up to around $500 bucks for alarm, remote start and the smartstart. The service itself costs either $49 per year or $99 for 3 years. Pricey, but well worth it for the convenience factor, and the price also includes their roadside assistance. I haven't read up enough to know whether that means a tow truck if one is needed or just them sending a signal to your vehicle in the event you not only lock your keys inside, but your phone as well.
03-26-2011, 09:01 PM
#17
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Originally Posted by SaharaBlackNo1
Since I just got this installed yesterday, I thought I'd give my impressions on it. I live in an area with great cell coverage, which is apparently key to having it work all the time, so I shouldn't have any issues there. YMMV I suppose though depending on if you live out in the country etc. I can't speak to the ease of install since it was a Christmas gift and I had it installed at BestBuy. As a side note, for the do-it-yourselfer, there is a writeup here: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...GER-the-EZ-way
And the remote start used in that is essentially the one used in the smart start, with just the additional smart start box attached to it.
From my Droid I can lock, unlock, start, hit the panic button. There is a trunk button too, but clearly that's not of much use with the JK. It also remembers where you parked and can lead you back to your vehicle. I haven't tested the feature of it leading me back to my vehicle, but parked at my house, it actually has the address perfect, so seems like it should work.
With any of the commands, when you select them on your phone, it takes about 2 seconds for them to be received. When they are, you get a message on your screen saying command recieved or something.
One feature I don't know if it has since all I did was add this into the factory basic alarm was that if my alarm is set off, I don't know if it will send me a message. It looks like it might, as it does have an "alerts" tab that can be selected.
The SmartStart ranges in prices depending on whether you're just adding in the smartstart to a remote start you already have, I think that's $99 plus install, plus service, all the way up to around $500 bucks for alarm, remote start and the smartstart. The service itself costs either $49 per year or $99 for 3 years. Pricey, but well worth it for the convenience factor, and the price also includes their roadside assistance. I haven't read up enough to know whether that means a tow truck if one is needed or just them sending a signal to your vehicle in the event you not only lock your keys inside, but your phone as well.
And the remote start used in that is essentially the one used in the smart start, with just the additional smart start box attached to it.
From my Droid I can lock, unlock, start, hit the panic button. There is a trunk button too, but clearly that's not of much use with the JK. It also remembers where you parked and can lead you back to your vehicle. I haven't tested the feature of it leading me back to my vehicle, but parked at my house, it actually has the address perfect, so seems like it should work.
With any of the commands, when you select them on your phone, it takes about 2 seconds for them to be received. When they are, you get a message on your screen saying command recieved or something.
One feature I don't know if it has since all I did was add this into the factory basic alarm was that if my alarm is set off, I don't know if it will send me a message. It looks like it might, as it does have an "alerts" tab that can be selected.
The SmartStart ranges in prices depending on whether you're just adding in the smartstart to a remote start you already have, I think that's $99 plus install, plus service, all the way up to around $500 bucks for alarm, remote start and the smartstart. The service itself costs either $49 per year or $99 for 3 years. Pricey, but well worth it for the convenience factor, and the price also includes their roadside assistance. I haven't read up enough to know whether that means a tow truck if one is needed or just them sending a signal to your vehicle in the event you not only lock your keys inside, but your phone as well.
04-05-2011, 04:48 AM
#18
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Just as an update, since having my SmartStart installed my Optima lasted less than a week! Now, I do have a winch and a set of fogs attached, but I've never had an issue before and I certainly wasn't trying to winch someone out while my foglights were on right before I decided to warm up my JK.
So based on that, my only conclusion is that the SmartStart has a fairly large power draw. I'm replacing the Blue Top with a Yellow Top later today and will see if perhaps the Blue Top simply wasn't adequate or was a dud. Very strange.
My other theory is the tech at Best Buy didn't wire something properly. They also opted not to install the ball bearing type hood switch, because apparently if you park on a slope it will activate, rendering the Smart Start useless. Oh and did I mention they also didn't install a plunger type hood switch either. I know this because after jumping the battery and letting it run, I had my girlfriend shut remove the key, so I could go over all the wiring and she used my phone to start it while I was under the hood. Glad I wasn't just looking at stuff and not touching anything.
The funny thing is the guy ran the wires for the hood switch and then just decided he couldn't figure out a good way to do it?
On a related note, does anyone know where the factory hood switch is located on the newer JKs that came with remote start? And if anyone has a part number, that'd be great too, since it would probably be best just to use the one Mopar uses and call it a day.
So based on that, my only conclusion is that the SmartStart has a fairly large power draw. I'm replacing the Blue Top with a Yellow Top later today and will see if perhaps the Blue Top simply wasn't adequate or was a dud. Very strange.
My other theory is the tech at Best Buy didn't wire something properly. They also opted not to install the ball bearing type hood switch, because apparently if you park on a slope it will activate, rendering the Smart Start useless. Oh and did I mention they also didn't install a plunger type hood switch either. I know this because after jumping the battery and letting it run, I had my girlfriend shut remove the key, so I could go over all the wiring and she used my phone to start it while I was under the hood. Glad I wasn't just looking at stuff and not touching anything.
The funny thing is the guy ran the wires for the hood switch and then just decided he couldn't figure out a good way to do it? On a related note, does anyone know where the factory hood switch is located on the newer JKs that came with remote start? And if anyone has a part number, that'd be great too, since it would probably be best just to use the one Mopar uses and call it a day.
04-09-2011, 05:21 PM
#19
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Ok, not sure if anyone knows the answer, but I found where the factory remote start hood switch is located on my JK, but since my JK did not come with remote start, I do not have the mounting bracket or hood switch. What I do have is the wiring to connect to both of those, so I ordered the switch and the bracket.
I would think if I plug it all in as normal, nothing will happen, since it's not programmed for it, but what I really want to know is, if I tap into that wire, connecting the smart start hood switch wiring to the factory hood switch, will that work to give my smart start a hood switch with a factory appearance?
Hopefully, I didn't make too much of a mess of my explanation.
I would think if I plug it all in as normal, nothing will happen, since it's not programmed for it, but what I really want to know is, if I tap into that wire, connecting the smart start hood switch wiring to the factory hood switch, will that work to give my smart start a hood switch with a factory appearance?
Hopefully, I didn't make too much of a mess of my explanation.
04-10-2011, 03:39 AM
#20
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SaharaBlack, isn't the blue optima a deep cycle/ marine battery? Eg- shouldn't be used as a DD battery?? I have the red top with no problems but could easily step up to a yellow or blue top if there are advantages with no drawbacks. I have 4 or 5 red tops, so I'm in the same boat as you- I believe in the optima's power.
4 or 5 red tops, so I'm in the same boat as you- I believe in the optima's power.